Access Holdings posts record N1trn profit as gross earnings hit N5.53trn

Access Holdings Plc has announced that its gross earnings grew by 13.3 per cent to N5.53 trillion in the 2025 financial year.

Access Holdings said this was supported by strong growth in net interest income and a 40.9 per cent increase in fees and commissions to N585.07 billion.

The company’s profit before tax increased by 16.2 per cent to N1.01 trillion, crossing the N1 trillion mark for the first time in the Group’s history.

Access Holdings disclosed this via its Full Year 2025 Investors and Earnings Call released on Wednesday, May 6, 2026.

Access Holdings emphasised that the non-payment of dividend for the 2025 financial year was not performance driven, but reflected prudential regulatory alignment matters which required resolution before dividend payments could be effected.

The company’s total assets expanded by 24.2 percent to N51.56 trillion, while cost-to-income ratio improved significantly from 56.7 per cent to 51.7 per cent, driven by disciplined cost management and operating leverage.

Access Holdings said its capital adequacy remained strong at 18.2 per cent at the holding company level, while the banking subsidiary ended the year with a capital adequacy ratio of 20.2 percent.

Access Holdings explained that while dividends were recommended at both halfyear and fullyear in 2025, regulatory approvals were not obtained.

At the halfyear stage, the company said the constraint related to Section 7.1 of the CBN Guidelines for Financial Holding Companies, which has since been fully resolved following the successful completion of an approved private placement.

At fullyear, it noted that an additional matter arose under Section 19(8)(c) of BOFIA, which places limits on investments in foreign banking subsidiaries relative to shareholders’ funds.

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Access Holdings said it has been granted a 12-month window to fully remediate this position, noting that it will partially divest from some banking subsidiaries but will still retain its super majority shareholding.

Commenting on the results, the Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Access Holdings Plc, Innocent Ike, said: “Access Holdings has a strong history of consistent dividend payments, and rewarding shareholders remains a core priority for the Board and Management.

“The nonpayment of dividend for 2025 was not due to earnings weakness or cash flow constraints, but an alignment with regulatory and prudential guidelines.

“Our performance in 2025 demonstrates the strength of the franchise and its capacity to generate value for shareholders. Our focus is to ensure that shareholder distributions resume on a sustainable basis once all regulatory conditions are satisfied and the required approvals are obtained.”

Ike added: “Maintaining the confidence of our regulators, depositors and stakeholders is fundamental to our operating philosophy.

“In line with our long-standingculture of prudence and sound governance, the Board remains committed to balance sheet strength and capitalresilience, as the basis for sustainable shareholder distributions.”

Access Holdings reassured stakeholders that it remains committed to engaging constructively with all relevant stakeholders to address the matters raised and achieve alignment with applicable requirements within the stipulated timeline.

“Access Holdings is uniquely positioned to leverage its scale, geographic diversification and strong franchise to deliver resilient earnings growth, stronger returns and enhanced long-term shareholder value,” the company stated.